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Difference Between Mill And John Stuart Mill Utilitarianism

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Emily Schrock
Dr. Liberman
PHIL 201-02
7 October 2017
Utilitarianism
Many have tried to explain the concept of morality and what makes certain actions right and others wrong. One of the best-known theories, presented by men such as Jeremy Benthamn and John Stuart Mill, is coined utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is a theory about morality stating that an action is right if it promotes the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest amount of people, as happiness or utility is the only thing in the world that is purely good (Mill 229). It does not matter whose happiness, as utilitarianism is an egalitarian and impartial view meaning that everyone’s happiness is weighed the same (Mill 239). An objection to utilitarianism could be that no one could possibly know what action will bring the most amount of happiness to the most amount of people (Mill 246). …show more content…

Sam (a security guard) catches Bob stealing a gold bracelet which he plans on pawning in order to afford some much-needed medicine for his child. If no one else saw Bob take the bracelet, and no one would know if Sam let Bob go, what should Bob do? Well, an act utilitarian would state that Sam should let Bob leave with the bracelet as if it had never happened because it would lead to the greatest amount of happiness. Having the store owner be a little upset at the loss of a gold bracelet, assuming that the store was not on the verge of bankruptcy and needed the bracelet in any way, is nothing compared to the happiness that the little child who desperately needed the money and his/her family will certainly feel. A rule utilitarian, on the other hand, would follow the rule that stealing is wrong and if I caught someone stealing, I should stop them and turn them in. If generally followed, the rule of stopping people from stealing will ultimately provide the most happiness for the greatest amount of

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